Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ultimate Guide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most hazardous gases found in the home. Dubbed the “silent killer,” CO gas is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating, yet it can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or death. As a result, more than 400 people die of accidental carbon monoxide influence each year, a higher fatality rate than any other type of poisoning. 

As the weather cools off, you close up your home for the winter and trust in heating appliances to stay warm. These situations are when the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is highest. The good news is you can protect your family from carbon monoxide in several ways. One of the most efficient methods is to install CO detectors in your home. Use this guide to help you understand where carbon monoxide comes from and how to make the most of your CO alarms. 

What produces carbon monoxide in a house? 

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Therefore, this gas is produced when a fuel source burns, like natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, gasoline, woo, and more. Prevalent causes of carbon monoxide in a house include: 

• Clogged clothes dryer vent 

• Malfunctioning water heater 
• Furnace or boiler with a cracked heat exchanger
• Closed fireplace flue while a fire is lit 
• Improperly vented gas or wood stove 
• Vehicle idling in the garage 

• Portable generator, grill, power tool or lawn equipment running in the garage 

Do smoke detectors detect carbon monoxide? 

No, smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide. Alternatively, they start an alarm when they sense a certain level of smoke caused by a fire. Having functional smoke detectors reduces the risk of dying in a house fire by about 55 percent. 

Smoke detectors come in two main forms—ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors. Ionization detection works best with quick-moving fires that generate large flames, while photoelectric detectors are more effective with smoldering, smoky fires. Some newer smoke detectors include both types of alarms in a single unit to increase the chance of sensing a fire, no matter how it burns. 

Unmistakably, smoke detectors and CO alarms are equally important home safety devices. If you look up at the ceiling and find an alarm of some kind, you may not know whether it’s a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide alarm. The visual difference is based on the brand and model you have. Here are some factors to keep in mind: 

• Quality devices are clearly labeled. If not, look for a brand and model number on the back of the detector and find it online. You should also find a manufacture date. If the device is older than 10 years, replace it right away. 
• Plug-in devices that draw power from an outlet are typically carbon monoxide alarms]]94. The device should be labeled as such. 
• Some alarms will be two-in-one, detecting both smoke and carbon monoxide with a different indicator light for each. Still, it can be hard to tell without a label on the front, so checking the manufacturing details on the back is worthwhile. 

How many carbon monoxide detectors do I need in my home? 

The number of CO alarms you require is dependent on your home’s size, the number of stories and bedroom arrangement. Follow these guidelines to guarantee thorough coverage: 

• Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms: CO gas poisoning is most common at night when furnaces must run frequently to keep your home heated. Therefore, every bedroom should have a carbon monoxide sensor installed within 15 feet of the door. If a couple of bedroom doors are less than 30 feet apart, just one detector is sufficient. 
• Install detectors on all floors: 
  Dangerous carbon monoxide buildup can become trapped on a single floor of your home, so make sure you have at least one CO detector on all floors. 
• Install detectors within 10 feet of the internal garage door: Many people unsafely leave their cars idling in the garage, leading to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup, even when the large garage door is wide open. A CO sensor immediately inside the door—and in the room above the garage—alerts you of elevated carbon monoxide levels within your home. 
• Install detectors at the correct height: Carbon monoxide weighs about the same as air, but it’s often pushed up by the hot air released by combustion appliances. Having detectors near the ceiling is best to catch this rising air. Models with digital readouts are best located at eye level to make them easier to read. 
• Install detectors at least 15 feet from combustion appliances: Some fuel-burning machines give off a tiny, harmless amount of carbon monoxide when they start. This dissipates quickly, but if a CO detector is positioned too close, it could give off false alarms. 

• Install detectors away from high heat and humidity: Carbon monoxide detectors have specific tolerances for heat and humidity. To reduce false alarms, avoid installing them in bathrooms, in direct sunlight, next to air vents, or close to heat-generating appliances. 

How do I test/troubleshoot a carbon monoxide detector? 

Depending on the model, the manufacturer may suggest testing once a month and resetting to ensure proper functionality. Also, replace the batteries in battery-powered units every six months. For hardwired units, replace the backup battery annually or when the alarm starts chirping, whichever comes first. Then, replace the CO detector entirely every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

How to test your carbon monoxide alarm 

It only takes a minute to test your CO detector. Check the instruction manual for directions individual to your unit, knowing that testing follows this general procedure: 

• Press and hold the Test button. It may take 5 to 20 seconds for the alarm to start. 
• Loud beeping signifies the detector is working correctly. 
• Release the Test button and wait for two quick beeps, a flash or both. If the device continues beeping when you release the button, press and hold it again for five seconds to silence it. 

Swap out the batteries if the unit fails to perform as expected after the test. If replacement batteries don’t make a difference, replace the detector immediately. 

How to reset your carbon monoxide alarm 

You only have to reset your unit when the alarm goes off, after testing the device or after swapping the batteries. Some models automatically reset themselves within 10 minutes of these events, while others require a manual reset. The instruction manual should note which function applies. 

Follow these steps to reset your CO detector manually: 

• Press and hold the Reset button for 5 to 10 seconds. 
• Release the button and wait for a beep, a flash or both. 

If you don’t hear a beep or see a flash, try the reset again or replace the batteries. If it’s still not working, troubleshoot your carbon monoxide alarm with assistance from the manufacturer, or replace the detector. 

What can I do if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off? 

Listen to these steps to protect your home and family: 

• Do not ignore the alarm. You may not be able to detect unsafe levels of carbon monoxide until it’s too late, so assume the alarm is functioning correctly when it goes off. 
• Evacuate all people and pets as quickly as possible. If you can, open windows and doors on your way out to help dilute the concentration of CO gas. 
• Call 911 or your local fire department and report that the carbon monoxide alarm has gone off. 

• Do not assume it’s safe to reenter your home when the alarm stops beeping. Opening windows and doors may help air it out, but the source could still be producing carbon monoxide. 
• When emergency responders come, they will enter your home, assess carbon monoxide levels, check for the source of the CO leak and determine if it’s safe to go back inside. Depending on the cause, you may need to schedule repair services to prevent the problem from recurring. 

Get Support from Levy & Son Service Experts 

With the proper precautions, there’s no need to fear carbon monoxide exposure in your home. Along with installing CO alarms, it’s worthwhile to maintain your fuel-burning appliances, especially as winter arrives. 

The team at Levy & Son Service Experts is qualified to inspect, clean, diagnose and repair problems with furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other combustion appliances. We know what signs indicate a potential carbon monoxide leak— such as excessive soot, rusted flue pipes and a yellow, flickering burner flame—along with the necessary repairs to resolve them. 

Do you still have questions or concerns about CO exposure? Is it time to schedule annual heating services? Contact Levy & Son Service Experts for more information.